The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is at one of the most critical turning points in its modern history. The Arab spring was driven by the desire for economic opportunity and justice in the face of poverty and unemployment. The development of strong economies that enable both women and men to enhance their livelihoods is crucial for the future of the region. The growth and success of women-owned businesses is one of the most profound changes in the business world today. There is no doubt that women are an emerging market force. However, many businesswomen are not accessing commercial credit, an essential driver of business success. Lack of access to finance and financial services is repeatedly identified as the major constraint for women business owners. This report 'ready for growth: solutions to increase access to finance for women-owned business in the Middle East and North Africa', is designed to shed a light on those barriers. It is the result of a unique International Finance Corporation (IFC) partnership with vital voices and the Middle East and North Africa Businesswomen's Network (MENA BWN). Its purpose is to fill a critical gap in our knowledge of what women-owned businesses need in terms of financial products and services. Building on our knowledge of how commercial banks currently reach the women's market, this survey data can provide banks in MENA with information to better serve women business owners.

This paper discusses the potential impact of the Arab uprisings that were sparked in December 2010 on the existing barriers to equality of economic opportunity. It was commissioned by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a background paper for the Expert Group Meeting convened from 21 to 22 May 2013 on Women and Economic Empowerment in the Arab Transitions, and revised with comments from the meeting. The research for this paper was completed in May 2013 but it has, to the extent possible, been updated to reflect current events up until July 2013. The purpose of the paper is to provide an overview of the existing barriers to equality of opportunity in the Arab region, setting a baseline against which future progress and regression can be measured and identifying entry points to promote progress and avoid regression.

The report highlights that While no specific “gender-related objectives” were defined in the UNIDO programme, it did take initial steps towards demonstrating good practices in mainstreaming gender aspects into QI development. The Programme capitalized on an opportunity to demonstrate good practices in gender equality, but mainly through awareness raising and the way it delivered its assistance. For instance, reporting on results was disaggregated according to gender. Since the relationship between gender equality and QI development is not obvious, no specific, gender-related objectives were defined. Interviews indicated that as an outcome, awareness on gender issues has been raised among those experts and beneficiaries interviewed during the mission. Awareness on gender is also reflected by AIDMO’s idea to consider the development of a “gender strategy”.

This brief summarizes a three-part research series produced by UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality—a global gender equality fund which awards competitive grants and technical assistance to women-led civil society organizations around the world. Focusing on grantee case studies in Guinea, Lebanon and Sudan, the series offers a more nuanced look at the real-time opportunities and barriers to women’s economic empowerment in three fragile contexts, including what is working, what is not and what is needed to help women realize greater empowerment, equality and inclusive development.

The study shows that measures of patriarchal culture are correlated with female labor force participation (FLFP) and that levels of women education, together with personal values and country norms in regard to patriarchy explain most of the regional variations in FLFP observed around the world. We argue that education hides (at least) three separate effects: the impact of women’s wages on household income, its impact on personal values, and the impact of a better bargaining position in her household and community. This means that FLFP can be increased not only through the impact of improved education on household income, but also through its indirect effect on patriarchal values, and on women bargaining power, the latter effect being larger in countries where the variability in values among the population is large.